DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens and Access Community Health Network of Chicago on Tuesday teamed up in an effort to protect more people in Chicago’s medically underserved communities from the flu this season, through a new program in which Walgreens will provide more than 10,000 free flu shot vouchers for eligible Access patients.

“Heading into what are traditionally the peak months for flu activity in Chicago, this is another way we’re helping to protect more people from influenza and providing convenient access to Walgreens flu shots in medically underserved communities,” stated Ron Weinert, Walgreens VP health systems services. “Our relationship with Access demonstrates the valuable role Walgreens pharmacists are playing in health care today, coordinating care to improve patient outcomes and lower costs as part of a patient’s care team. It also underscores the importance of residents in our community being linked to a medical home.”

Qualifying individuals can receive a voucher at any of Access’ 50 community health center locations throughout the Chicago area. Vouchers are good for one flu shot at any Walgreens pharmacy or Take Care Clinic.

In order to be eligible to receive the voucher, a patient must not have insurance coverage for a flu shot and not be able to afford one without the assistance of the voucher.

Walgreens and Access have been working together for more than a year as part of a broader coordinated healthcare relationship to improve community health and reduce the racial and ethnic health disparities in Chicagoland’s most vulnerable communities. For example, in November, Walgreens opened an on-site pharmacy at the Access Genesis Center for Health and Empowerment health center in Des Plaines, which predominantly cares for an underserved Hispanic population.

“By working closely with the pharmacy leadership at Walgreens, we at Access believe that with our shared vision, we can improve access to care, care coordination, quality and health education and transform the primary care medical home approaches at Access and serve as a national model,” noted Donna Thompson, Access CEO.